Nielsen Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012 Results and Announces Dividend

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* Revenues for the year increased 1% to $5,612 million, up 4% in constant
currency
* Adjusted EBITDA for the year increased 4% to $1,602 million, up 6% in constant
currency
* Net income for the year increased to $273 million from $86 million in 2011
* Adjusted Net Income for the year increased to $704 million from $590 million
in 2011
* Quarterly dividend policy announced; cash dividend payment of $0.16 declared
for first quarter 2013
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Nielsen Holdings N.V. (NYSE: NLSN), a leading global provider of information and
insights into what consumers buy and watch, today announced financial results
for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.
"Nielsen`s fourth quarter results showed strong growth in recurring revenue and
continued margin expansion," said David Calhoun, Chief Executive Officer of
Nielsen. "Our full year performance demonstrated the overall resilience of our
business despite a tougher environment for corporate spending. We remain focused
on delivering value to clients, investing to grow our business and expanding our
capabilities. We are pleased to deliver enhanced shareholder value as we begin
paying a quarterly dividend. "
Fourth Quarter 2012 Operating Results
Revenues for the fourth quarter increased 3% to $1,464 million (4% on a constant
currency basis) compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. Our revenue performance
was driven by a 3% increase within our Buy segment (3% on a constant currency
basis), a 5% increase within our Watch segment (5% on a constant currency basis)
and a 19% decrease in our Expositions segment (19% on a constant currency
basis). Global growth in Information services was driven by increased client
investment in retail measurement, including the impact of additional coverage in
the U.S. market. Our Insights services declined globally due to lower
discretionary spending by clients. Our Expositions segment declined primarily
due to the timing of trade shows.
Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter increased 6% to $457 million (6% on a
constant currency basis), compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. We continue to
see the benefits of productivity efforts while strategically reinvesting in
growth initiatives.
Net income for the fourth quarter decreased to $39 million compared to $95
million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The 2012 results included charges of $70
million, net of tax, related to the redemption of our 11.50% Senior Notes due
2016 and the prepayment of the 8.50% Senior Secured Term Loan due 2017. Net
income per share, on a diluted basis, was $0.11 compared to $0.26 in the fourth
quarter of 2011.
Adjusted Net Income for the fourth quarter increased to $234 million compared to
$190 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Adjusted Net Income per share was
$0.62 compared to $0.51 in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Year Ended December 31, 2012 Operating Results
Revenues for full year 2012 increased 1% to $5,612 million, or 4% on a constant
currency basis compared to 2011. Revenues within our Buy segment were flat (4%
increase on a constant currency basis), revenues within our Watch segment
increased 3% (4% on a constant currency basis) and revenues within our
Expositions segment increased 2% (2% on a constant currency basis).
Adjusted EBITDA for full year 2012 increased 4% to $1,602 million, or 6% on a
constant currency basis compared to 2011.
Net income for full year 2012 was $273 million compared to $86 million in 2011.
The 2012 results included charges of $70 million, net of tax, related to the
redemption of our 11.50% Senior Notes due 2016 and the prepayment of the 8.50%
Senior Secured Term Loan due 2017. The 2011 results included charges of $206
million, net of tax, related to the redemption and prepayment of debt with IPO
proceeds. Net income per share, on a diluted basis, was $0.75 compared to $0.24
in 2011.
Adjusted Net Income for full year 2012 increased to $704 million compared to
$590 million in 2011. Adjusted Net Income per share was $1.87 compared to $1.61
in 2011.
Financial Position
As of December 31, 2012, cash balances were $288 million and gross debt was
$6,296 million, excluding the $288 million mandatory convertible subordinated
bonds due in February 2013. Net debt (gross debt less cash and cash equivalents)
was $6,008 million and our net debt leverage ratio was 3.75x at the end of 2012.
Capital expenditures were $358 million for full year 2012 as compared to $367
million in 2011. Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized, was $384
million for full year 2012 as compared to $446 million in 2011.
Dividend Policy
On January 31, 2013, our board of directors adopted a cash dividend policy with
the present intent to pay quarterly cash dividends on our outstanding common
stock. The board also declared the first quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per
share, to be paid on March 20, 2013 to holders of record of our common stock on
March 6, 2013. Our dividend policy and the payment of future cash dividends are
subject to the discretion of the board of directors.
Other Matters
On December 17, 2012, we signed a definitive agreement to acquire Arbitron Inc.
(NYSE: ARB), an international media and marketing research firm, for $48 per
share in cash. The transaction has been approved by the board of directors of
both companies and is subject to customary closing conditions, including
regulatory review.
On February 1, 2013, the mandatory convertible subordinated bonds were converted
into 10,416,700 shares of Nielsen`s common stock at a conversion rate of 1.8116
shares per $50.00 principal amount of the bonds.
Conference Call and Webcast
Nielsen will hold a conference call to discuss fourth quarter and full year
results at 5:00 pm U.S. Eastern Time (ET) on February 11, 2013. The audio and
slides for the call can be accessed live by webcast at http://ir.nielsen.com or
by dialing +1-888-317-6016. Callers outside the U.S. can dial +1-412-317-6016.
The passcode for the call is "Nielsen." An archive will be available on the
investor relations website after the call.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release includes information that could constitute forward-looking
statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such
as `will`, `expect`, `should`, `could`, `shall` and similar expressions. These
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and events
could differ materially from what presently is expected. Factors leading thereto
may include without limitations general economic conditions, conditions in the
markets Nielsen is engaged in, behavior of customers, suppliers and competitors,
technological developments, the acquisition of Arbitron, as well as legal and
regulatory rules affecting Nielsen`s business and specific risk factors
discussed in other releases and public filings made by the Company (including
the Company`s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission). This list of
factors is not intended to be exhaustive. Such forward-looking statements only
speak as of the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to
update any written or oral forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf
as a result of new information, future events, or other factors.
About Nielsen
Nielsen Holdings N.V. (NYSE: NLSN) is a global information and measurement
company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information,
television and other media measurement, online intelligence, mobile measurement,
trade shows and related properties. Nielsen has a presence in approximately 100
countries, with headquarters in New York, USA and Diemen, the Netherlands. For
more information, visit www.nielsen.com.
Results of Operations:
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amounts included
in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
(IN MILLIONS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) 2012 2011 2012 2011
Revenues $ 1,464 $ 1,421 $ 5,612 $ 5,532
Cost of revenues 584 564 2,278 2,237
Selling, general and administrative expenses 440 435 1,778 1,888
Depreciation and amortization 132 133 520 529
Restructuring charges 28 29 84 84
Operating income 280 260 952 794
Interest income 1 1 4 6
Interest expense (94 ) (109 ) (413 ) (477 )
Loss on derivative instruments - - - (1 )
Foreign currency exchange transaction losses, net (5 ) (2 ) (17 ) (9 )
Other (expense)/income, net (121 ) 12 (118 ) (209 )
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates 61 162 408 104
Provision for income taxes (26 ) (73 ) (140 ) (22 )
Equity in net income of affiliates 4 4 5 3
Income from continuing operations 39 93 273 85
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - 2 - 1
Net income 39 95 273 86
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests - - - 2
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders $ 39 $ 95 $ 273 $ 84
Net income per share of common stock, basic
Income from continuing operations $ 0.11 $ 0.26 $ 0.75 $ 0.24
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - - - -
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders $ 0.11 $ 0.26 $ 0.75 $ 0.24
Net income per share of common stock, diluted
Income from continuing operations $ 0.11 $ 0.26 $ 0.75 $ 0.24
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - - - -
Net income attributable to Nielsen stockholders $ 0.11 $ 0.26 $ 0.75 $ 0.24
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic 362,712,063 360,062,174 361,787,868 352,469,181
Dilutive shares of common stock 4,261,882 5,071,820 4,523,116 5,032,773
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, diluted 366,973,945 365,133,994 366,310,984 357,501,954
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amounts included
in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
December 31,
(Unaudited)
(IN MILLIONS) 2012 2011
Assets:
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 288 $ 319
Trade receivables, net and other current assets 1,388 1,346
Total current assets 1,676 1,665
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net 560 609
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 11,907 11,716
Other non-current assets 448 514
Total assets $ 14,591 $ 14,504
Liabilities and equity:
Current liabilities
Accounts payable, deferred revenue and other current liabilities $ 1,398 $ 1,548
Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings 355 144
Total current liabilities 1,753 1,692
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 6,229 6,619
Other non-current liabilities 1,625 1,552
Total liabilities 9,607 9,863
Total equity 4,984 4,641
Total liabilities and equity $ 14,591 $ 14,504
Certain Non-GAAP Measures
We use the non-GAAP financial measures discussed below to evaluate the results
of our operations. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP measures
provides useful information to investors regarding financial and business trends
related to our results of operations and that when this non-GAAP financial
information is viewed with our GAAP financial information, investors are
provided with a more meaningful understanding of our ongoing operating
performance. None of the non-GAAP measures presented should be considered as an
alternative to net income or loss, operating income or loss, cash flows from
operating activities, total indebtedness or any other performance measures of
operating performance, liquidity or indebtedness derived in accordance with
GAAP. These non-GAAP measures have important limitations as analytical tools and
should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our
results as reported under GAAP. Our use of these terms may vary from the use of
similarly-titled measures by others in our industry due to the potential
inconsistencies in the method of calculation and differences due to items
subject to interpretation.
Constant Currency Presentation
We evaluate our results of operations on both an as reported and a constant
currency basis. The constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure,
excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We
believe providing constant currency information provides valuable supplemental
information regarding our results of operations, consistent with how we evaluate
our performance. We calculate constant currency percentages by converting our
prior-period local currency financial results using the current period exchange
rates and comparing these adjusted amounts to our current period reported
results.
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss from our consolidated statements
of operations before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation and
amortization, restructuring charges, goodwill and intangible asset impairment
charges, stock-based compensation expense and other non-operating items from our
consolidated statements of operations as well as certain other items considered
unusual or non-recurring in nature. We use Adjusted EBITDA to measure our
performance from period to period both at the consolidated level as well as
within our operating segments, to evaluate and fund incentive compensation
programs and to compare our results to those of our competitors.
We define Adjusted Net Income as net income or loss from our consolidated
statements of operations before income taxes, depreciation and amortization
associated with acquired tangible and intangible assets, restructuring charges,
goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges, other non-operating items from
our consolidated statements of operations and certain other items considered
unusual or non-recurring in nature, reduced by cash paid for income taxes. Also
excluded from Adjusted Net Income is interest expense attributable to the
mandatory convertible subordinated bonds due 2013. Adjusted Net Income per share
of common stock presented on a diluted basis includes potential common shares
associated with stock-based compensation plans that may have been considered
anti-dilutive in accordance with GAAP. The amount also includes the
weighted-average amount of shares of common stock convertible associated with
the mandatory convertible bonds based upon the average price of our common stock
during the period.
Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share of common stock are not
presentations made in accordance with GAAP.
The below table presents a reconciliation from net income to Adjusted EBITDA and
Adjusted Net Income and a reconciliation from weighted-average shares
outstanding on a GAAP basis to diluted shares outstanding for the three and
twelve months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively:
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
(IN MILLIONS EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) 2012 2011 2012 2011
Net income $ 39 $ 95 $ 273 $ 86
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - (2 ) - (1 )
Interest expense, net 93 108 409 471
Provision for income taxes 26 73 140 22
Depreciation and amortization 132 133 520 529
EBITDA 290 407 1,342 1,107
Equity in net income of affiliates (4 ) (4 ) (5 ) (3 )
Other non-operating expense, net 126 (10 ) 135 219
Restructuring charges 28 29 84 84
Stock-based compensation expense 10 9 34 27
Other items(a) 7 1 12 112
Adjusted EBITDA 457 432 1,602 1,546
Interest expense, net (93 ) (108 ) (409 ) (471 )
Depreciation and amortization (132 ) (133 ) (520 ) (529 )
Depreciation and amortization associated with acquisition-related tangible and intangible assets 43 42 166 182
Cash paid for income taxes (36 ) (40 ) (124 ) (132 )
Stock-based compensation expense (10 ) (9 ) (34 ) (27 )
Interest expense attributable to mandatory convertible bonds 5 6 23 21
Adjusted net income $ 234 $ 190 $ 704 $ 590
Adjusted net income per share of common stock, diluted $ 0.62 $ 0.51 $ 1.87 $ 1.61
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic 362,712,063 360,062,174 361,787,868 352,469,181
Dilutive shares of common stock from stock compensation plans 4,261,882 5,071,820 4,523,116 5,032,773
Shares of common stock convertible associated with the mandatory convertible bonds 10,416,700 10,416,700 10,416,700 9,531,994
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, diluted 377,390,645 375,550,694 376,727,684 367,033,948
(a) For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2012, other items consists primarily of deal related costs. For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2011, other items consist of Sponsor Advisory Fees (including termination payments of $102 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011), costs related to public offerings and other transaction-related costs.
Net Debt and Net Debt Leverage Ratio
The net debt leverage ratio is defined as net debt (gross debt less cash and
cash equivalents) as of the balance sheet date divided by Adjusted EBITDA for
the twelve months then ended. Net debt and the net debt leverage ratio are
commonly used metrics to evaluate and compare leverage between companies and are
not presentations made in accordance with GAAP. The calculation of net debt and
the net debt leverage ratio as of December 31, 2012 is as follows:
(IN MILLIONS)
Total indebtedness as of December 31, 2012 $ 6,584
Less: mandatory convertible subordinated bonds due 2013 288
Gross debt as of December 31, 2012 6,296
Less: cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2012 288
Net debt as of December 31, 2012 $ 6,008
Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012 $ 1,602
Net debt leverage ratio as of December 31, 2012 3.75x
Nielsen Holdings N.V.
Investor Relations:
Liz Zale, +1-646-654-4593
or
Media Relations:
Kristie Bouryal, +1-646-654-5577
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